KUALA LUMPUR: Following the recent racist and sexist remarks uttered in the Dewan Rakyat, Kasthuriraani Patto (DAP - Batu Kawan) has proposed amendments to the Parliament Standing Orders.
In a letter sent to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker's office, Kasthuriraani said the proposed amendments can prevent all Members of Parliament from repeating "un-parliamentary" words in the future.
"After reviewing the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders, I would like to propose two amendments to Standing Order 36 with two additional matters," she said in the letter.
The first proposed amendment read: "36(13) That an MP who utters sexist, racist or any remark that could hurt the feelings to the point of causing contempt or hatred toward any MP or a group of Malaysian society, and violated clause (4) and/or clause (10) of this Standing Order, will automatically be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee for further investigation."
The second proposed amendment read: "36(14) That an MP who is found to have violated clause (4) and/or clause (10) with the intention or knowledge over the investigation being done under clause (13) by the Rights and Privileges Committee will be fined no less than RM500, as a punishment for violating subsection 9(c) of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952."
According to Kasthuriraani, the letter on the proposed amendments was sent to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun this morning.
"I've met him and sent this letter to him. He said he took note of my proposed amendments and he also gave some suggestions," she said later in a press conference in the Parliament building here today.
The Pakatan Harapan lawmaker expressed hope that Azhar would take the opportunity to speed up the process of amending the Standing Orders, adding that it would be easier for the Speaker to do so as compared to an opposition MP.
"Although I can submit a motion to the Dewan Rakyat for it to be brought to the Standing Orders Committee, I am of the opinion that it will be more effective if these amendments are spearheaded by the Speaker who is also the chairman for both the Standing Orders Committee and the Rights and Privileges Committee.
"With these amendments, the Speaker can show his determination, not only to Baling MP (Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Rahim) but to all MPs and Malaysians, that contemptuous and hateful remarks will not be tolerated by this House anymore," she said.
Kasthuriraani said the Speaker has the power to call for a Standing Order Committee meeting and through that, she said the amendments can be expedited.
On July 13, Azeez caused an uproar by saying that Kasthuriraani was "dark" and could not be seen. He also asked her to "put on some powder".
He apologised the next day and retracted his remarks, saying he had used the word "dark" to describe the area in which Kasthuriraani was seated.
Yesterday, Azhar warned MPs against the use of racist or sexist words in the house, saying action will be taken against those who made such remarks.
He said he had discussed the issue with party heads from Pas, Barisan Nasional, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, PKR, DAP and Parti Warisan Sabah as well as the independent bloc and backbenchers.
